Arson suspected in Texas governor's mansion fire

[EV_Ares]

AUSTIN, Texas - Arson is suspected in the fire that struck the historic Texas Governor's Mansion early Sunday, causing damage that state officials described as "bordering on catastrophic," the state fire marshal said.

No one was inside the 152-year-old mansion at the time, said Robert Black, a spokesman for Gov. Rick Perry. The mansion had been undergoing a $10 million renovation, and Perry and his wife, Anita, had moved out last fall.

"We have some evidence that indicates that we do have an intentionally set fire," said state Fire Marshal Paul Maldonado. "So we believe that we may be looking at a criminal act here."

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms was sending in a team to help investigate, Maldonado said. He did not give details on how the fire may have been set or whether there was a suspect, but said there were security cameras on the premises.

State officials said they hoped the Greek Revival-style mansion had not been destroyed, but the damage clearly was extensive.

link to entire story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080608/ap_on_re_us/governor_s_mansion_fire;_ylt=Al8Tn0ZbyNKrK3JigtA0YynZn414

[greenbriar]

1. actually it was just the sulpher left over from * 's reign

it finally ignited

[TexasProgresive]

2. And that set fire to the huge store of hairspray

that Gov. Goodhair left behind.

[greenbriar]

3. hehe

thats good

[VP505]

4. "Arson", um lets see----

did all the records archived from the last 3 Governors burn?

[rainbow4321]

5. What is totally absurd is that there were no sprinklers or other suppressants

in the upstairs area, from what the local fire people are saying.
Way to go, TX....you think at SOME point we would have made THAT a priority given that the public used to tour the place, multiple govs have lived there, and all the historical artifacts that they had (which, luckily were not in the building at the time of the fire). Sounds like it was a disaster waiting to happen.
Good luck to the locals trying to around that area in rush hour tomorrow.
My daughter works in an Austin bakery downtown but she takes the bus system..guess I better remind her to be mindful of what streets are closed in case she needs to change her route/timing.